Synthesis of ZrB2-SiC powders in one-step reduction process

ZrB2-SiC composite powders were synthesized through one-step reduction process of ZrO2, B4C, carbon black, silicon or silica under flowing argon. Effects of B4C contents, calcination temperatures and different silicon sources on the phase composition and morphology were investigated. Combining the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, the spherical ZrB2-SiC powders ranging from 100 nm to 300 nm would be prepared with silicon at 1500 °C for 60 min when n(B)/n(Zr) was at 2.4. As using silica as the raw material, the obtained ZrB2 and SiC particles in the powders exhibited different shapes and sizes. The SiC grains were uniformly formed among the ZrB2 grains.